Entry into Monash Law?

[Glasses]

Hey guys -
So I'm pretty keen on studying law at university (I know, another aspiring law student ), but this has always been what's really interested me and I completed work experience at a law firm in Melbourne last year and absolutely loved it - so basically, I want to study law (hopefully in a double degree).

However, here's my problem - when I completed work experience at said law firm (which I'd assume is mid-tier), I noticed that literally everyone (excluding one person) had Monash law degrees hanging in their offices. And additionally, based on what I've read and heard - Monash law is where it's at (and I really think that I'd like Monash as a uni also). But anyway, I'm 95% sure that I won't meet the clearly-in ATAR (98.00) next year. However fortunately, after playing around on the SEAS calculator, I think I'd "only" need a 94 in order to gain entry into Monash law (due to living in a rural area, my school and personal circumstances). But the problem is - to me (and everyone who attends my school), a 94 ATAR is still really hard to obtain. (i.e. our dux this year was 92.00)

So basically, I'm asking for any advice/opinions regarding whether it's likely that I'Il gain entry, and how and what I can do to improve my ATAR score and hopefully gain admission.


Thanks guys!!

[warya]

You already have two over forties, so you'll manage, just keep up with what you were doing this year, you'll surprise yourself

[heids]

Your school is not that important.  Anyone can be an outlier.  If you decide to take control of and responsibility for your education rather than wait for the school to spoon it into your mouth, as everyone should do, then... you can smash beyond the limits that everyone else is trying to put on you.

Obviously I'll never say that you have complete control over your ATAR, otherwise I'd be insulting people who don't get as high as they absolutely deserve.  But someone who blames their school, letting the school drag them down and box them in and essentially perpetuating the cycle, is radically limiting their chances.  Just that shift to believing that it's YOUR responsibility is huge in changing people's approach to study and ultimately their overall enjoyment and success.

Given your already awesome scores, I can't see you having too much trouble.

[alchemy]

Bear in mind that for 2015 they accepted 40% of candidates below the clearly-in 98 atar. Check your vtac course guide booklet for more stats. I'd say you have a good chance if you're persistent.

[chasej]

Your school does not define you, with your study scores already you are well on track to getting >94. The resources your school provides plays a role in how well you do, but ultimately you determine your final result with the study, practice and ultimately final result you produce.

The study scores you have already obtained are better than the first two study scores I got. My first study score was a 33 which got scaled down to a 25, and the second a 42, yet I put my foot down in yr 12 and made it in.

No one can say how likely it is you will get an ATAR high enough because it depends on how well you do. Judging by the study scores you have got already you are doing very well at VCE. To improve try and think about what you could improve for next year, and what you wished you would have done last year (e.g. certain area of studies you didn't focus on or insufficient practice exams), try and think about the reasons for why you fell short and then devise a plan to address those issues.

For example, my issue before yr 12 was missing too much class so I made a plan to attend more.

[ek123]

It is really easy to transfer into law at Monash. Don't worry about the ATAR, just start with the other degree you be doing (arts, sci comm, music whatever) and transfer the next year. You will probably do pretty well in your first year and then just apply to transfer into law.

I started in commerce and had about a 74 WAM (like an average) and then got into law in second year. I know people who transferred from Deakin after a year as well. You will get credits for your units and they will count towards your double degree.

Good luck!

[chasej]

It is really easy to transfer into law at Monash. ... You will probably do pretty well in your first year and then just apply to transfer into law.

That's pretty ignorant. An average of >75 is very above the average.

It's easier to transfer than to get an >98 ATAR, but it's not easy to do so.

[vashappenin]

It is really easy to transfer into law at Monash.

Hah.

It isn't that easy actually.

[Maz]

my school's a perfect example of the outlier idea...my school opened in the 1970s and since then we only had 2 99+s and the highest was 99.2...until this year where 2 people got 99.85 and one got 99...you can definitely do the outlier thing  good luck 

[Glasses]

Thanks so much everyone!! I really appreciate all of your comments and advice.

With regards to transferring, I have briefly looked into this, but would obviously prefer to get into a law degree straight-away and get settled in. And for obvious reasons, I'm a bit ignorant with how transferring and WAM's and all that work 

But nevertheless, thanks guys!!